Photo by KIM NORTH Barnesville’s Hoyt Hartshorn controls his opponent during a dual meet earlier this season. The freshman is one of eight Shamrock semifinalists at the Ohio Division III Eastern District Tournament in Coshocton.

COSHOCTON — Thirty-one OVAC wrestlers have advanced to the semifinals of the Ohio Division III Eastern District Tournament inside The Wigwam at Coshocton High School.

Barnesville leads the local contingent with eight, while Union Local has five and Martins Ferry three. Bridgeport and Buckeye Local each have two semifinalists, while Toronto has one.

The Shamrocks lead the event with 97 points, which is 16.5 ahead of Garaway. Union Local has 63 and Martins Ferry 53 for third and fourth, respectively.

The top 4 finishers in each weight class punch their tickets to the state tournament next weekend inside Value City Arena at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center in Columbus. The three-day event starts Friday and runs through Sunday night’s championship finals.

Leading the Barnesville parade are senior Hines Ford (175) and junior Colt Carpenter (144). Ford, who won his first two matches by technical fall and pin, is seeking a fourth straight state tournament appearance, while Carpenter, who posted a pin and major decision, is a three-time qualifier. Both are two-time placewinners.

Other semifinalists are junior Easton Stephen (106, pin, decision); freshmen Hoy Hartshorn (113, pin, dec.); Jason Aberegg (120, pin, maj. dec.); Bentley Stephen (126, pin, tech. fall) and Ryder King (138, pin, tech. fall); along with junior Christien Hannahs (215, maj. dec., dec.).

Union Local is paced by returning state runnerup Gunnar Gossett (157). The junior and two-time state placer recorded two pins on Friday. He is joined by classmates Cole Rogers (120, maj. dec., tech. fall); Brody Perzanowski (175, 2 pins) and Kolten Snyder (215, pin, dec.); along with sophomore Gamble Gossett (126, tech. fall, pin).

Martins Ferry’s trio left standing is anchored by returning state placer sophomore Colton Nixon (138, pin, dec.). He is joined by his younger brother Jayce (113, 2 pins) and senior Tayson Palmer (215, dec., pin).

Bridgeport’s junior duo of Cole Weekley (126, 2 pins) and Ax’Zavier Santana (138, tech. fall, pin) are a victory away from qualifying, as are Buckeye Local sophomore Nathan Dentz (120, 2 pins) and senior Chase Milton (132, tech. fall, pin). Toronto senior Heath Thomas (285, pin, maj. dec) is also in the semis.

There are also 10 wrestlers still alive in the consolation bracket. They will need two wins each to qualify.

DIVISION II

CENTENARY — Twenty-two OVAC wrestlers are still alive for district titles, with Beaver Local leading the way with six and Steubenville four at Gallia Academy.

New Lexington leads the team race with 87 points. Beaver Local is second with 71.5, with Steubenville checking in at fifth with 54.5.

Big Red’s Cole Harvey (120, pin., dec.); Cooper Smith (144, tech. fall, pin); Landon Crosier (175, tech. fall, pin); and Beau Hudson (285, dec., pin) reached the semifinals.

Cambridge has one semifinalist.

There are several area wrestlers in the consolation round.